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Well there's always strange circumstances, but yes, it should be able to be activated

Can a used 381 (reissued 811) be reactivated?

Please note that none of my opinions here are necessarily the opinion of my employer (DISH Network) or of Echostar Holdings Corporation (EHC). For these opinions, please visit DishNetwork.com or Echostar.com.

The issue is that Dish is choosing not to upgrade the software on a number of older receivers to work with the new purple access cards and Nagra3 encryption. Since they have decided the 811 is obsolete, they presumably aren't doing any work to the software to make it compatible. But... the 811 *could* be the exception BECAUSE of the 381. It's hard to say. The hardware between the two boxes is the same, but Dish knows which ones are 811s and which are 381s, so they could conceivably update just the 381s. It's hard to say, and Dish isn't talking.

I wouldn't bet on the 811s working once the encryption is switched, though.

My 721 quit working in early November so I called Dish to try for an upgrade to a VIP722. The rep I talked to said that I had to upgrade both my 721 and 811. No amount of arguing on my part changed her mind. I eventually got bumped up to another rep who said it could be done but he gave up eventually and bumped me up to a rep who knew(!) what to do and said I could do it. She verified my name, address, etc. and by the end of the conversation I was convinced that all was well and I would be getting an upgrade to the 722.

Shucks, was I wrong. I got an email a few days later saying my upgrade receivers were shipped. Oh Oh. Receivers?

Double shucks. The receivers arrived. A VIP 211 and a 522. I had specifically said I didn't want those, I wanted a VIP722. On top of that my bill came in the mail and it shows an extra charge of $249 for a HD receiver. Now I am really PO'ed.

Called Dish again and rep I talked to said that the 249 charge was in error and it would be removed. She also could upgrade me to a VIP722 for a $75 upgrade charge and extend my commitment to two years again. OK. All done, I hope, I hope. New box is coming via UPS to arrive tomorrow. Wonder what will be in the box?

Will it be a 722?
Will the $249 charge on my bill go away?
What receiver do I send back? 721, 522, 211?

This would be funny if not for that darn $249 on my bill. I could buy a 211 outright for $169.

I'm trying to stay calm..............help...................

Brian...reporting from the left coast 2 Hoppers,1 Joey, 1 VIP211K active receivers
I still believe in magic !

The issue is that Dish is choosing not to upgrade the software on a number of older receivers to work with the new purple access cards and Nagra3 encryption. Since they have decided the 811 is obsolete, they presumably aren't doing any work to the software to make it compatible. But... the 811 *could* be the exception BECAUSE of the 381. It's hard to say. The hardware between the two boxes is the same, but Dish knows which ones are 811s and which are 381s, so they could conceivably update just the 381s. It's hard to say, and Dish isn't talking.

I wouldn't bet on the 811s working once the encryption is switched, though.

Fact: The 811 is still able to be activated however for SD only. The unit is still eligible for Free-For-All promotion. Go for it.

811's can be activated for SD programming through January 31, 2009 and that's per the business rules. Now, if after that date they will no longer activate an 811 is a good question. DISH will replace the 811 if after January 31, 2009 it becomes obsolete. So to answer the original question will DISH activate an 811 for SD, the answer is YES.